Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis, is granted service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for right shoulder and right wrist disabilities are granted due to in-service injury and post-service complaints.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, including UV damage to the eyes, has been reopened and granted. The RO assigned a 50 percent rating for tension headaches effective November 1, 2022.,An initial increased rating of 50 percent for tinnitus was granted effective November 1, 2022.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's VR&E claim should be remanded for further development regarding her employment history and eligibility for benefits due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck condition, low back condition, and headaches due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition is reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and hypertension, finding that the evidence does not weigh persuasively against the Veteran's claims. The diagnoses are related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the assigned ratings for the Veteran's right knee scar disability and his headache disability. The AOJ is instructed to clarify the rating for the right knee scar disability, obtain updated treatment records, and arrange for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely cause of any headache disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted effective June 22, 2010. The appeal for tinnitus and the scar post-surgery associated with right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.

The Veteran's headaches with migraine variant are granted a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for generalized anxiety disorder and headaches, as well as TDIU prior to June 25, 2018, are now pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because the record lacks sufficient information to determine if he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current sinusitis and headaches are related to her service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a headache disability, to include TBI. The cases are being returned for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial higher rating for tension migraines and a TDIU is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings. The case is also inextricably intertwined with the headaches claim.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was dismissed as moot because he has been in receipt of a total (100 percent) disability rating since February 26, 2016.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for pinguecula, lower back disability, cervical disability, and headaches. These issues are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are very frequent and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's combined rating for her service-connected conditions (migraines, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids) is at least 60%, which meets the schedular requirement for TDIU. However, she was not found to be unemployable due to these disabilities as her education and work experience suggest she could still engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the remand was not adequately addressed and requires further examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for cerebral aneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, hypertension, and migraine headaches have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.,Service records do not show any diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions during active duty. The Veteran reported symptoms many years after separation from service.